Course General Description

DSI is a program for people who want to write their own rules rather than follow them. Students from twenty-five countries have come through the program so far, with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. They join us because DSI fulfills a deep need that nothing else can – to go out and create positive change, using their own powers of creativity to bring ideas and enterprises to life that have not existed before. They are remarkable people, unpredictable and visionary. DSI alums are working in multi-national corporations, in government, at global NGOs, creative consultancies, and are running their own businesses.

Three Key Areas of learning:

• Immersion in the contexts and dynamics in which social innovation is taking place: in corporations, communities around the world, non-profit organizations, foundations and with social entrepreneurs. This immersion process is led by some of the most renowned experts in business, philanthropy, development and entrepreneurship.

• Theory and practice learning: the skills and tools required to frame problems, develop and incubate ideas, research, test and scale new businesses.

• Experiential learning: partnering with each other, with businesses and social organizations on real-world challenges both local and global.

School General Description

Welcome to New York City, SVA’s hometown, and the leader of today’s creative economy, with more than 14,000 creative businesses and nonprofits. According to the EY Global Talent in Global Cities 2015 study, New York attracts more creative talent than any other city in the world because it “enjoys a unique cultural scene, embedded in a cosmopolitan and forward-thinking urban environment.” There is no better place to study, practice and work as a creative professional. Critique is a vital and challenging part of the educational experience in a college of art and design. Participating in this practice requires students to be open and vulnerable while they present their work for discussion and questioning, and to trust the transformative powers of the process in service of the work. Through the frequent repetition of this act of openness, students and faculty share and strengthen their humanity, empathy and kinship and their work evolves.